Vitiligo: Was Michael Jackson White or Black?

As many as 2 million Americans, and 65 million people around the world have a depigmentation disorder called vitiligo [source: Medicine Net]. Several celebrities have had vitiligo, including Lee Thomas (an anchorman from Detroit), Doc Hammer (co-creator of the Venture Brothers), Thomas Lennon (who plays Jim Dangle on Reno! 911) and Michael Jackson.

Diagnosed in 1986 [source: Vitiligo Relief], Michael Jackson's change in skin color radically altered the way many people felt about Jackson. Because of the rarity of vitiligo, many people misunderstood his condition, even after Michael told the public about the disorder in a 1993 appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show. Part of the speculation and drama surrounding Michael's apparent change from a black man to a white man is the strangeness of vitiligo. It seems like a work of science fiction that a man can change skin color, and because the disease was not well known, many people thought it was only fiction, though there is much documented science behind his changes.

Michael Jackson showed signs of vitiligo as early as the late 1970s, and by the mid 80s both Jackson's genius and his new skin color were undeniable. It would not take long for his skin to become the bigger star, at least to people not familiar with his music.

Our skin cells produce melanin, a natural sunblock that protects our skin from being damaged by intense sunlight. Melanin also determines what color our skin will be, from white to brown to black. Moderate tanning helps to increase the production of melanin, but the amount we can produce is determined by our genes.

Without our body's production of melanin, we would not have a skin color-we would simply be a marble, or milky white. Vitiligo is a disorder which occurs when melanin-producing cells die or become crippled (are no longer able to produce skin pigmentation). Because melanin also helps determine the color of our eyes and hair, a person with vitiligo may become a natural blond, and appear to be an albino though the two disorders are not the same-albinos are born without any skin pigmentation, while people with vitiligo develop the disease in their late teens or twenties.

Vitiligo is not a fatal disorder, and is found in people of all races, in both sexes. Doctor's are not sure exactly why the disease occurs, but that it may be related to autoimmune diseases, and may be due to genetics. There is no cure, but the condition can be treated with medical procedures or makeup to slow the process or mask the affects. [Source: Wikipedia]

Vitiligo first occurs in rash-like patches and the most common treatment is to make the surrounding skin appear like the skin already affected, by depigmenting the normal, melanin producing skin with a chemical cream. Patients may also choose to repigment their already damaged skin cells using a chemical cream or phototherapy. Depigmentation is irreversible, and repigmentation does not always work.

The emotional side-effects of vitiligo are similar to severe acne. Because spots of depigmented skin often appear to be physically unattractive, a vitiligo sufferer may become depressed with her changing appearance.

It may never be known how much vitiligo played on Michael Jackson's emotions, but the fact remains, millions of others, black or white, suffer this random disorder. There are organizations that provide information and emotional support for vitiligo sufferers, and these organizations strive to help others understand more about this life changing mystery.